Things you should know before getting a pug

By Heidi Lynn, I have been a pug owner for over five years.

Published: November 28, 2013

Pugs are adorable little dogs with wrinkly faces. They typically have a clownish personality that matches their looks. However cute they are, there is a lot to caring for these animals. A variety of things need to be taken into consideration before adopting a pug.

A pug is always, always, always hungry!

Pugs would happily dedicate their lives to eating. Because of this and the fact that they are already prone to obesity, it is important to establish a regular feeding schedule and to measure what you feed them. Limit treats and use things like green beans if an extra snack is needed. (No salt on the beans!)

Pugs are temperature sensitive.

A pug's short muzzle makes it prone to heat stroke. Care should be taken to keep your pug out of extreme temperatures. Avoid walks during the peak of the day in summer, and make sure your pug has an air conditioned area in your home.

Pugs sleep a lot, and they snore!

Before I got a pug, I read that they slept 18-20 hours a day, and I thought it was a joke. After I got my pug, I saw it was absolutely true. While they are always willing to sleep, it is important to keep the dog active for their overall health.

At bedtime you will be "sung" to sleep by the sound of your pug snoring. This is a side effect of the short muzzle. If you are a light sleep, a pug might not be the best choice of breed for you.

Even just a pug face is high maintenance!

There are two hot spots on your pug's face that you need to be aware of. The first spot is the facial wrinkles. Dirt and moisture can get trapped into the folds of skin, so it is important to clean them on a daily basis to avoid infection.

Second, a pug has extremely sensitive eyes. Care should be taken to help the avoid scratching their eyes, and putting any unnecessary pressure that could cause the pug to come out of the socket. I recommend using a harness instead of a collar to help this.

Pugs require many visits to the vet.

Every dog is different, but pugs are prone to a variety of health problems that will probably make frequent visits to the vet necessary. In addition to eye issues, pugs are prone to allergies, knee and hip problem, and a variety of other illnesses.

Pugs need their person, and they need them frequently.

A pug is a pleasant, but needy dog. If you are adopting a pug, you are adopting a shadow. When I move from room to room in my house, my pug is usually running circles around my feet. If she isn't doing that, she is on my lap or staring at me. If you are bothered by something wanted your constant attention, don't get a pug.

If you can buy it at Walmart, don't feed it to your pug!

Many people are tempted to buy cheap dog food, but that isn't good for the animal and may end up costing you more money in the long run. A good quality food will help keep your animal healthy, so this is one area in which you shouldn't spare expense.

Teeth!

Pugs have a tendency to swallow their food without chewing, so they tend to have dental issues. Start brushing your pug's teeth from an early age to help them retain their dental health. I also have my vet check my pug's teeth on a yearly basis, and if necessary, she has a dental cleaning and extraction of any bad teeth.

Toys

Pugs love to play. My pug is especially fond of soft, fluffy toys that she can cuddle. I also highly recommend a toy called pug eggs, which is a ball that is shaped to fit a pug's mouth. You can purchase them from various locations, but I always buy them from www.pugjava.com, which supports pug rescue.

Save a life when you get your pug

I am always amazed by the number of pugs that I see in shelters and being given away for free on websites like Craigslist. When getting your pug, consider adopting one of these deserving animals instead of buying one from a breeder. You just might be the person that saves that dog's life.

Pugs are a wonderful animal to bring into your life and your home. They can be a bit of work, but the rewards of knowing and loving the animal make it well worth it. If you are looking for a dog that will be devoted to you for life, the pug is the dog for you.